Carlo Hauner Caviuna Wood & Glass Display Coffee Table, Brazil, 1950s

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A study in proportion, material intelligence, and quiet architectural clarity, this rare coffee table by Carlo Hauner embodies the disciplined … Read more A study in proportion, material intelligence, and quiet architectural clarity, this rare coffee table by Carlo Hauner embodies the disciplined elegance that defined the golden age of Brazilian modern design in the 1950s.

Executed in richly figured Brazilian Caviúna wood, the table is conceived as a floating rectilinear vitrine. A recessed glass top reveals a generous display compartment beneath—an element that transforms the piece from a simple surface into an object of interaction and curation. Books, objects, or personal artifacts can be arranged within the interior shelf, turning the table into a dynamic centerpiece within a room.

The structure is supported by four slender, tapered legs that lift the cabinet-like body with remarkable lightness. This balance between visual mass and structural delicacy is a hallmark of Hauner’s work. The caviuna grain flows continuously across the case, revealing dramatic tonal variation—from deep chocolate browns to honeyed amber streaks—showcasing the natural expressiveness of the material.

The open side apertures subtly frame the interior volume, reinforcing the architectural logic of the design while allowing light to pass through the piece. Every line is deliberate: the thin framing of the glass, the carefully proportioned legs, and the crisp joinery that gives the table its refined geometry.

Born in Italy and later based in São Paulo, Carlo Hauner played a pivotal role in shaping the identity of postwar Brazilian furniture. Alongside his collaborator Martin Eisler, he introduced a language that merged European modernist rigor with the warmth and richness of Brazilian hardwoods. His designs—often produced by Forma—remain among the most collectible expressions of mid-century Brazilian design.

This example is particularly compelling for its architectural composition and the dramatic character of its rosewood veneer. Both functional and sculptural, the table operates equally as a display case, coffee table, and focal point within an interior.

An enduring statement piece from the formative years of Brazilian modernism. See less